Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1WT
V-8 Economy, Silverado Strength
General Motors refers to its work trucks as equipment group 1WT (following the same philosophy as LS, LT, and LTZ). The 2WD regular-cab standard-bed Silverado is coded CC10703; its sibling Sierra is coded TC10703--4WD is available. Once you look beyond the somewhat varied sheetmetal, the differences between the Silverado and Sierra are relatively minor. These trucks are so similar, in fact, that MSRP for the base work-truck models is identical, as is the equipment that comes on the base truck: a 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 (15/20 city/highway mpg) backed by a Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic, a tried-and-true combination that's been part of the GM pickup stable for quite some time.
Most exterior trim pieces are black, including the front bumper and end caps, grille surround, manual folding side mirrors, and door handles. The 6.5-foot-long pickup bed is a fleetside and is finished with a chrome bumper. Air-conditioning is optional on the regular cab. Daytime halogen running lights are standard, as are intermittent windshield wipers, 17-inch steel wheels, and a 17-inch spare--also steel, but cosmetically different--which is mounted under the frame below the bed.
The cabin will hold up to three people on the vinyl-covered bench. The center portion of the bench folds down and serves as a center armrest and storage area. There's no carpet here; the floor is protected by black rubberized vinyl. Air-conditioning is an option at this price point, but a tire-pressure-monitoring system, four-wheel ABS, dual airbags, tilt steering wheel, and two 12-volt power outlets are standard. It has power steering, AM/FM/CD stereo, cupholders, analog gauges, lighting in the cabin and the bed, and dual visors. There is one suspension choice: Solid Smooth Ride, coded Z83. Opting for the bare-bones Silverado/Sierra brings an MSRP of $20,350.
According to GM's fleet vehicle Web site, the 1WT Silverado and Sierra also are offered with the extended cab and crew cab. Moving up to an extended cab adds standard A/C and doubles the amount of seating room (it may be snug, but the rear seat is a 60/40 bench that seats three). The top 1WT--the Silverado/Sierra 1500 four-wheel-drive crew cab--starts at $33,180.
Fleet Options
General Motors offers most, if not all, of its trim levels and options for would-be fleet buyers. So it's no surprise that the other truck trim levels (LS, 1LS, LT, 1LT, XFE, and LTZ), the 4.8-liter V-8, both 5.3-liters, the 6.0- and 6.2-liter V-8s, and the six-speed automatic are available. Regular cabs are short or long beds, extended cabs come with short, regular, and long beds, and crew cab is short bed only. GM Fleet and Commercial also sells a line of accessories for these trucks, including bedliners, tonneaus, cargo-management systems, tool boxes, styling items, towing accessories, and more. There are several other half-ton offerings in the GM stable, including the Avalanche, Silverado/Sierra Hybrid, full-size vans, the Tahoe and Yukon, H2, Escalade, and TrailBlazer/Envoy, and police SUVs.
According to GM, most Chevrolet and GMC dealers across the country carry fleet vehicles. If you have no luck there, you can always try going to one of the GM dealers that specializes in commercial vehicles. To research the fleet offerings, visit www.gmfleet.com.